3 Easy Social Media Marketing Trends To Try In 2017

As a content strategist, I can’t tell you how many yearly lists I read that discuss the top trends in social media. Everyone has an opinion about what’s important and trendy, but few can narrow their lists down to a top three.

That is my mission. To provide you with the three easiest and essential social media marketing trends that will dominate 2017.

Social Media Marketing of Today

Before we begin, there are few things we should set straight. Social media marketing isn’t about only posting to social media and garnering likes, shares, retweets and favorites. That’s the stuff of 2008. Today, marketers are crafting stories that resonate with their average consumer, inspire a potential lead, and fuel their brand loyalists. This is achieved via ads, promotional offerings, intimate details about their brand, and through crowdsourcing.

Dash in some creativity and you have the recipe for successful social media marketing, but that is only at face-value, and the metrics change year after year as consumers become more plugged in and technology continues to do what it does best, and that is, advance.

What I’ve Found

After hours of meetings and research, three things stuck out to me about the social media marketing in the new year. One, my clients are still unsure of the power of the social media. Two, the general public is still learning about social media. And, three, social media is outpacing itself and it is pretty exciting.

Just, look at Facebook and their consistent manipulation of algorithms that are smarter and more in tune with consumers, all the while providing value to marketers who use their paid services.

Twitter has evolved into news conglomerate and a up-to-the minute resource for those who want their information fast and to the point.

Pinterest has taken the online buying experience and made it visually stunning. It is literally, the “it” online destination for millennials and baby boomers, and that is no easy feat.

YouTube, has continued to change the way consumers consume video, just ask Issa Rae and vloggers alike.

We have seen the death of Vine and the rise of SnapChat, Facebook Live, Instagram Stories, and Periscope.

Social media, as it name implies, has taken over the globe and connects billions of people. From catchy ads and social justice campaigns to political stomping grounds, it has you covered.

I say all of that to say, with everything that social media does, there is so much more that can and could do. 2017, will the year of new and exciting frontiers for social media marketing and here are the easiest way you can get in on the action.

More Snaps

It doesn’t matter whether you are Gen Z, a millennial, or a baby boomer, Snap ( don’t call it SnapChat anymore) has become the place for innovative ideas and kick ass filters. Brands can use this platform to introduce products, highlight their cultural, for tutorials, or to build brand loyalty.

Snap, has recently launched vertical videos and live videos and they have a choke hold on the whimsical and bizarre. Videos have been prominent for the past three years, and they will continue to dominate the market. So get out those phones, and cameras and start shooting.

Paid Content By the Tons

Social platforms are ramping up their paid services and offering marketers advanced targeting, better metrics and a wider range of consumers. Organic reach on Facebook is on a steady decline and will continue the trend in 2017. Platforms are also creating an environment for seamless ad interaction with advertisements that blend well into pages and appear to be a part of the native site.

Ads can also help build relationships with leads through emails sign-ups, landing page visits, direct links to products and services, and increased traffic.

Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is the new and improved word of mouth. Bloggers, vloggers, and social media personalities can actually elevate your brand and propel you into markets that you may not have been able to capture. As the online community continues to grow, consumers are inundated with information about products and services. Influencers have the power to discuss your brand with their followers in a much more intimate fashion.

Conclusion

Your content should be creative, visual, and enticing. Don’t be afraid to use your spending power to get in front of the right consumers. Lastly, influencers can be a driving force in increased sales. They add a personal touch to your brand.

Social media marketing is about the consumer in 2017. Not, about the brand, but the people that make it what it is.